Raiders stay on defensive, sign Porter

The Raiders remained primarily in a defensive stance with regard to free agency Wednesday, announcing the signing of cornerback Tracy Porter.
Porter, whose pending deal with the Raiders was reported by ESPN Tuesday, is the seventh defensive player added to the roster since free agency began.

Given how thin the Raiders are at cornerback, Porter, 26 and coming off an injury-plagued season, with the Denver Broncos, is a likely starter.

At present, the only other cornerbacks on the roster are Chimdi Chekwa, Brandian Ross and Phillip Adams, who have a combined total of four NFL starts.

A veteran of 43 starts over five seasons, Porter has eight career interceptions and two regular-season touchdowns, not including a 74-yard interception return against Peyton Manning for the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen was the defensive backs coach for the Saints when Porter was a starter there.

Last season, Porter experienced had issues with seizure-like symptoms in August and October and was limited to six games and four starts. When his medication was regulated and Porter returned to action in December, he sustained a concussion that sidelined him for the rest of the season.